"Last night I dreamt I went to Chicago again. The same dream I've had at least once a week, if not two, for the last month. Chicago is like it was when I lived there. Back when the Sears tower was still the tallest building. I haven't even been back since that monstrosity was built on the river. I've seen pictures and it just doesn't seem like my Chicago.

"I end up at McGinty's and everyone I care about is there. Gary, Marissa, Bernie, Lois and even Crumb. We're all sitting around a table, laughing, drinking beer and eating pretzels. Just like we used to do...but in a way it's different. Probably because I never sat around and drank beer, laughed, and ate pretzels with Crumb. I don't think the guy likes me much. And I don't think I've ever told anyone this, but I kind of like the guy. He's alright in my book. He sure helped me and Gar out of a lot of jams. I don't recall ever thanking him, though.  

"It's weird he should be in the dream, since we aren't too close.

"Every time I have that dream, I wake up homesick for that city and the people in it. You don't think this dream means something, do ya? You know, like some hidden message I'm supposed to figure out. Or some kind of representation of something?"

Before the pretty lady could answer me a voice from behind me called out, "Hey, Dipwad! Are you gonna order anything or are you just gonna flap your gums all afternoon?"

Startled, I turned around and was surprised to see that a line had formed behind me.

Unperturbed, I looked the man square in the eye. "Didn't anyone ever tell you, patience is a virtue?"

"Yeah, I'll give you patience," the guy sneered as he gave me the finger.

"You wanting my opinion or something?" the pretty girl behind the counter asked me as I turned back around.

"Go home."

"Go home?" I repeated.

"That's a good idea. Go home so the rest of us can place our order," the man from the line continued to heckle me.

"Yeah, go home. Go back to Chicago. Just for a long weekend or something. You know, maybe that's all it is. You just want to see some friendly faces. Lord knows you don't see too many out here," the girl said as she glared at the customer who continued to make rude comments.

"Yeah, go home. I don't know why I didn't think of that," I said, almost to myself.

"You know why you didn't think of it yourself? You're a dipwad. That's why!" the man behind me tormented. 

~~~

"So I gnored the guy, ordered a bottle of water and a big soft pretzel, thanked the lady and made my way back to my office. I called the airlines and booked a flight back to Chicago," Chuck said as he finished his story.

"Did you ever regret your decision to move back to Chicago?" the voice on the other end of the line asked.

Chuck thought a minute before answering. "You know, Sport. I don't regret it at all. I gave LA my best shot and it didn't work out. I wasn't happy there and I can honestly say I've been happy here. I'm home, near family and friends who care about me."

Chuck heard a deep sigh. "You can always come home, ya know," he said gently.

"But, but Dad was so mad when I left and Mom was so disappointed in me. How can I come home?"

"Listen, Sport. Your parents love you no matter what. If Gary can forgive me for all the hair brained things I've done in my life, there's no way in Hell he'd turn you away. You're his son. His flesh and blood and he loves you. We all do. Even that cat. And, so you thought you'd go to Colorado and be a ski instructor, hook up with a bunch of hot babes and live on easy street and it didn't work out. So, now it's time to come back home and go to school and..."

"Okay, I get your point, Uncle Chuck," his laughter echoed across the line then died off.

Silence yawned between them.

"I...uh. I wanna come home...but...uh...I..."

"Don't worry about it, Sport. I'll wire you the money for a plane ticket and I'll even pick you up at the airport."

"Uncle Chuck," he said, his voice cracking.

"Yeah?"

"I'll...I'll pay you back. I promise. I'll sell my skis  and gear and..."

"Don't worry about it. You just pack up and get the first flight back to Chicago and your family." 

~~~

"I'd like to know why you're draggin' me to the airport, Chuck. I've got things to take care of," Gary grumbled as he touched the paper tucked in his back pocket.

Chuck ignored his grumbling and continued walking until he reached the luggage carousel.

He turned to look at his friend and noticed the slight graying at his temples and the small worry lines that had appeared around his eyes. The last 6 months had started to take their toll on him. His son leaving town had torn  him up inside and now it was starting to show on the outside.

"The paper can wait. There's something more important here."

"Chuck!" Gary said, exasperated.

"Dad?"

Chuck watched as Gary went still and the color drained from his face. Slowly, Gary turned in the direction of the voice that had spoken to him.

Gary took a deep breath and relaxed his shoulders before wrapping his arms tightly around his son and pulling him close.

Chuck stepped back and watched the scene before him. Father and son hugging. Tears streaming down their faces. Each one talking over the other in their excitement.

Chuck nodded his head and smiled. "You did good, Fishman," he told himself. "You did good."

The End!  

Email the author:   darbyross@webtv.net
 

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